Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Stream.
Hi DJ, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I’ve just always really appreciated music. My parents both sang. My Mom used to play piano and organ in churches. My Dad had a band from back in the day. I’m from Texarkana, TX originally (shoutout to the “903”!). I’m 7/10 children. I have 9 siblings, three older brothers, three older sisters, a younger sister, and 2 younger brothers. I used to be the kid in school who used pens to beat on any and everything. Lol, My oldest brothers are twins, and they’re gifted singers. They’re the biggest reasons I got influenced and wanted to start making music. Now, I don’t want to do Anything that isn’t music related! Just always being behind my brothers and seeing what they were doing and trying to make it made my interest in music just start to expand rapidly and I’ve progressed over time. They used to let me mess with their keyboard that they used to make tracks on, and I started making beats. I guess that’s where I started learning piano as well. I’m a multi-instrumentalist now, playing guitar, bass, drums, and piano. I haven’t been producing too long, but I’ve definitely been a beatmaker since I was like 12, 13. It’s crazy thinking back now, but I’ve been at it for just about half my life. I’m currently 30. Being a beat maker and producer (because there IS a difference) got me into starting to DJ. I started in 2014/2015. I’ve been doing for about 7/8 years now. I love being a DJ. I haven’t heard too many DJs that can mix as I can. I got into Doing just because I liked mixing beats and started noticing that I get people up. I’m one of the only ones I’ve seen who will mix in a request immediately as well. I’m all about customer service. I’m a simple man. I just love music, I love life, and I’m blessed to wake up every day and get to listen to music or pick up my guitar. Music comes with a lot of little things that aren’t really appreciated, like making someone smile or turn up to a track. I currently have a DJ residency at “Izkina” (@izkinadallas). If you’re ever looking for somewhere to visit and have endless vibes, especially with me in the DJ booth, come visit! I’m there 7 nights a week, full-time, Doing now! When I’m not in the booth, I’m trying to get others into my vocal booth. I make tracks every day! Currently working on putting my music online for listening pleasure and also for purchase. I’m pretty low-key, but working on getting out there! Follow my IG (JeffJointzStreamin and/or Iamdjstream). My YouTube account is “Jointzcitystream”. “s t r e a m” is an acronym that stands for “Sounds That Raise Everyone Around Me.” I asked myself one day when I was getting serious about DJing (being at various hookah lounges, clubs, parties, etc.), I thought to myself and was like, “What am I always doing?” The answer to that was “streaming,” whether that be listening to music in my room, downloading music, making beats or having DJ sets at the house. It was constant, so the name “stream” just came to me, and it never left, now it’s tattooed on my left arm! Whether it’s in the studio or in a DJ booth, I get folks to stand up and move their bodies! Once you experience me, you guys will understand where I’m coming from. I still have a long way to go, and looking forward to future endeavors and endless fun. Most importantly, I just wanna make music every day for the rest of my life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No road is ever smooth, really. For the most part, talent outshines everything else, but I had some personal problems that affected my way of thinking and started letting me be lazy or think negatively, and I’d just be annoyed with my sound or feel like I didn’t like anything I was making, and I low-key took a lengthily break from creating music. I had a lot of personal struggles that I was dealing with as well, so just felt like I was trying but wasn’t the right time. I feel I’m kind, even though I’m pretty stubborn I’ve heard. My struggles are usually myself standing in my own way or overthinking things when I’m trying to create. I got a computer with all my music and files ran over, so I’ve just been wading in the water instead of trying to catch waves. I’m definitely moving now. Another big problem I had, was letting people run over me. Promoters have you chasing them for money, just trying to be safe and get home while making money. Catching busses and Uber because I didn’t have my own car. I did what I could to make some money and keep going. I’m in a great spot now. Being out all night, all the time will really take a toll on you though. I can attest to that. My passion is inside of me, and that’s my engine. So, I’m not gonna stop. I’ll only stop getting in my own way because for the most part, that’s what has been holding me back from shining like a Moissanite. If I keep going, eventually, I’ll end up somewhere amazing. So, no, the road hasn’t been smooth. There have been potholes, and at some points, there felt like there were all speed bumps, back-to-back!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a producer and full-time DJ now. All day every day, I’m to music. I have daily DJ sets at Izkina (@izkinadallas), and I’m a member of the “Genuine Hierarchy.” In the DJ booth, I specialize in customer service! I take just about any and every request and try to make sure people hear what they wanna hear. A lot of DJs only do that if they’re getting tipped or whatever, but DJ Stream likes to show love, and I do that whenever I can. Plus, taking requests helps expand your library. If someone asks me for a song once, someone else might want to hear it another time, and I need to have it! Lol, I really love mixing beats and exciting myself. I can’t keep my hands still either! You’ll often see me playing air drums. It’s second nature at this point. As a producer, I specialize in being passionate. I’m known for taking my guitar to the club, or just making beats anywhere. I will be known eventually as one of Dallas, TX’s best DJs and producers. I’m going to be the bridge between the mainstream and the underground. I love music, and I’m probably the most intimate studio session anyone will have. I can make beats on the spot or can load up whatever artists want to record to, and load that in and get to work. I’m quick with it. I can’t stop the music because Rihanna told me once to “please, don’t stop the music.” Lol, I’m most proud of myself when I get compliments because I don’t hear or see what others see when it comes to me, necessarily, but I know that I’m on the right track, and things will only go up from here, as long as I keep taking steps. I don’t have access to an elevator right now, so I’m taking the stairwell. Might take a minute, but I’ll be there soon. I think what really sets me apart, though, is the fact that I can play multiple positions when it comes to music, whether that just be playing an instrument, making beats, helping do vocal arrangements, etc. I can make beats, I can produce, and I can even engineer, and I can get music played because I’m a DJ, so I can break records anytime really. I’m a bridge, just by myself, to a lot of different musical directions.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I’d say, just reach out and be willing to learn. Just doing something you can learn through trial and error, but if you can be well-rounded, and be persistent, and want to soak up knowledge, then you’re going to get good looks. YouTube, someone else who is doing what you want to do. Reach out to me even! I’m quick to give someone a package to start learning to produce or DJ. I just wish I knew then what I know now when it comes to Daws. People, don’t hesitate to get yourself into “school.” Buy a course that teaches you how to use a program. Like DJing, the controller looks so confusing, but once you know what they do, piece of cake! I wish I’d bought a course on Pro Tools as I did with Logic Pro. It took me up more than a few floors just learning how to navigate my program to get the music inside my head written down because that’s what recording is, writing down the sound. Be passionate and persistent, and those doors will open.
Pricing:
- Studio Time – $40/hr
- DJ Services (Private) – $125/hr
- Guitar Lessons -$25/hr
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/iamdjstream
- SoundCloud: Soundcloud.com/dj-s-t-r-e-a-m
